Norwegian Ronny Deila emerges as shock candidate to become next Celtic manager

10:24, 5 Jun 2014

ByKeith Jackson, Craig Swan

THE highly-rated 38-year-old is in line to replace Neil Lennon - if a compensation package can be agreed with his club Stromsgodset.

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Ronny Deila is set to succeed Neil Lennon at Celtic

CELTIC are close to naming Ronny Deila as their next manager after holding talks with the Norwegian coach.

The highly-rated 38-year-old is set to succeed Neil Lennon but only if a compensation package is agreed with his club Stromsgodset.

Deila’s agent Tore Pedersen was at Celtic Park yesterday and a deal was later concluded that will see Deila become just the 17th permanent manager in the club’s 126-year history.

However, the issue of compensation could yet scupper the move with sources in Norway claiming Celtic’s initial offer is not acceptable.

Yesterday’s fast-moving developments came after Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell identified the up-and-coming coach as the perfect fit for the job.

Deila is held in high regard in Scandinavia after taking Stromsgodset to the title in Norway for the first time in 43 years and has been hailed as his country’s answer to Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp.

Lawwell, who had been snubbed by box-office targets Henrik Larsson and Roy Keane, now hopes Deila will bring his exciting, attacking brand of football to Glasgow.

Yesterday morning, sources at the club were confident the raid could be completed swiftly.

But by teatime that optimism had subsided a bit as both clubs dug in their heels over the size of the cheque Lawwell will have to sign in order to snare his man.

PA

Stromsgodset coach Ronny Deila

Sources in Norway later made it clear that Celtic’s opening offer was too low. Stromsgodset, like the Hoops, have Champions League qualifiers next month and want suitable money for losing their boss at such a key time.

Compensation deals to take managers out of Norwegian football are rare, with the biggest case coming three years ago when Stale Solbakken quit the national team to join Bundesliga side Cologne.

The Germans were forced to cough up just over £500,000 for the three years remaining on Solbakken’s contract.

Deila’s salary was recently bumped up to £200,000 after he snubbed an approach from Swedish side Malmo.

Given he has more than two years to go on his deal, it’s likely Celtic will have to pay a similar figure. Stromsgodset chairman Tom Saxegaard said: “We are going to play in the Champions League and obviously we want to keep him.

“He’s our manager and is under contract with us for two-and-a-half years.”

Delia was playing his cards close to his chest last night but admitted the offer from Celtic is a fantastic opportunity.

After his team had lost 4-2 in the Norwegian Cup to lower-league Tromsdalen, he said: “It’s flattering as Celtic are a big club.

“I have always said I dream about working abroad one day.

“It’s great to be linked to a club like Celtic but I’ve been in football a long time and nothing is secure in it and I can only talk about things that are concrete.”